Awards Season

Lena Headey’s Stone Cold Face and the 10 Emmy-Night Reactions We Can’t Wait to See

There were plenty of Emmy snubs and surprises for the Hollywood television community to process in the privacy of their own homes this morning. We’ll never know for certain how Tatiana Maslany decided to grieve or the boys from Silicon Valleychose to celebrate. But that level of privacy won’t be afforded to the winners and losers on the night of the Emmys themselves—their highs and their lows will be nationally televised. So whether you’re into schadenfreude or a little celebratory dancing from your favorite TV performers, there’s a lot to look forward to. Here are the Top 10 reactions we most want to see. Buckle in, it’s going to be a bumpy night.

If Matthew McConaughey Wins for Best Actor in a Drama

Everyone knows that the Emmy battle royale this year is between Matthew McConaughey for True Detective and Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad. If Cranston loses (and he shouldn’t, this is, by rights, his year), he could very well get stuck muttering one of his most iconic Walter White lines on a loop. At least a Cranston loss to McConaughey makes sense. Remember that Jeff Daniels win last year? Yikes.

If the Three Orange Is the New Black Nominees Cancel Each Other Out

We’re delighted that Orange Is the New Black is nominated this year after having just missed the eligibility cut off last year. And while Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Red (Kate Mulgrew) got lead and supporting actress nominations, three other inmates Nicky (Natasha Lyonne), Sophia (Laverne Cox), and Crazy Eyes (Uzo Aduba) were all nominated in the guest actress category. Which means they might end up splitting the vote. I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of Suzanne, would you?

If Robert Morse Wins for Mad Men

Robert Morse has been nominated several times for his work as Bert Cooper on Mad Men, but this might be the year he actually wins. Not just because of his lengthy career and impressive body of work, but because of this arresting and surprising moment from this year’s finale. Fingers crossed that Morse soft shoes his way up to the stage.

If Lena Headey Loses the Best Supporting Actress Award

Lena Headey’s nomination for Game of Thrones was something of a surprise. (Though not an undeserving one.) But she’s up against Anna Gunn and, well, remember this? Headey may be out of luck this year, but she’s doing just fine. She met the Queen and is having plenty of fun with or without awards.

If Anyone But Benedict Cumberbatch Wins

In a weird little twist of fate, Benedict Cumberbatch is going up against his Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman in the lead actor category. Both Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton received well-deserved nominations for their work in Fargo. But with McConaughey out of the running here (and over in the drama series category), Cumberbatch is the clear favorite. We’ll all indulge in a little eye roll if anyone else takes this Emmy home.

If Kate Mara Wins the Guest Actress in a Drama Award

Kate Mara is up against some of the formidable actresses working today. Lady Olenna from Game of Thrones? Vice President Sally Langston from Scandal? Claudia from The Americans? If Kate somehow snags this award, she better run, not walk, away from that ceremony...and while she’s at it, she should avoid any train stations.

If Amy Poehler Finally Gets Her Emmy

This year marks Amy Poehler’s 11th Emmy nomination. Could this finally be her year? She did get the Golden Globe and while we suspect some of that had to do with her excellent job as host, she’s no less deserving. So fingers crossed for awards season momentum because a Poehler win means a Poehler laugh and a Poehler laugh means sunshine and puppies.

If Matthew McConaughey Wins for Best Actor in a Drama

Everyone knows that the Emmy battle royale this year is between Matthew McConaughey for True Detective and Bryan Cranston for Breaking Bad. If Cranston loses (and he shouldn’t, this is, by rights, his year), he could very well get stuck muttering one of his most iconic Walter White lines on a loop. At least a Cranston loss to McConaughey makes sense. Remember that Jeff Daniels win last year? Yikes.

If the Three Orange Is the New Black Nominees Cancel Each Other Out

We’re delighted that Orange Is the New Black is nominated this year after having just missed the eligibility cut off last year. And while Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Red (Kate Mulgrew) got lead and supporting actress nominations, three other inmates Nicky (Natasha Lyonne), Sophia (Laverne Cox), and Crazy Eyes (Uzo Aduba) were all nominated in the guest actress category. Which means they might end up splitting the vote. I wouldn’t want to be on the wrong side of Suzanne, would you?

If Robert Morse Wins for Mad Men

Robert Morse has been nominated several times for his work as Bert Cooper on Mad Men, but this might be the year he actually wins. Not just because of his lengthy career and impressive body of work, but because of this arresting and surprising moment from this year’s finale. Fingers crossed that Morse soft shoes his way up to the stage.

If Lena Headey Loses the Best Supporting Actress Award

Lena Headey’s nomination for Game of Thrones was something of a surprise. (Though not an undeserving one.) But she’s up against Anna Gunn and, well, remember this? Headey may be out of luck this year, but she’s doing just fine. She met the Queen and is having plenty of fun with or without awards.

If Julianna Margulies Wins for The Good Wife

The Good Wife had one of the best years on television. It’s baffling that it didn’t net a nomination for a season that delivered not one, but two shocking turn of events. Both Christine Baranski and Josh Charles are up against Breaking Bad actors Anna Gunn and Aaron Paul, so we imagine it’s entirely up to Margulies to bring an Emmy home for The Good Wife this year. (Unless Dylan Baker grabs a surprising guest actor award.) If Margulies does win, the entire cast better celebrate with a chorus of “Thicky Trick.”

If Adam Driver Somehow Topples the Cast of Modern Family

Modern Family has been an unstoppable award-winning juggernaut for years now. Isn’t it time someone else had a crack? Given the way his film career is taking off, Adam Driver might have a bit of an advantage this year. Awards shows love their high profile winners. We don’t imagine Driver takes much stock in awards, but being the David to the Modern Family Goliath would be enough to stun anyone.

If the Three Nominees from American Horror Story Cancel Each Other Out

Just like the ladies from Orange Is the New Black, three of the scene-stealing witches from American Horror Story: Coven are competing for the same award, lead actress in a TV movie or miniseries. Jessica Langemight take it home, but the odds are even better than she, Angela Bassett and Sarah Paulson will cancel each other out. Woe betide the nominee who goes up against the coven.

If Anyone But Benedict Cumberbatch Wins

In a weird little twist of fate, Benedict Cumberbatch is going up against his Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman in the lead actor category. Both Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton received well-deserved nominations for their work in Fargo. But with McConaughey out of the running here (and over in the drama series category), Cumberbatch is the clear favorite. We’ll all indulge in a little eye roll if anyone else takes this Emmy home.

If Kate Mara Wins the Guest Actress in a Drama Award

Kate Mara is up against some of the formidable actresses working today. Lady Olenna from Game of Thrones? Vice President Sally Langston from Scandal? Claudia from The Americans? If Kate somehow snags this award, she better run, not walk, away from that ceremony...and while she’s at it, she should avoid any train stations.

If Amy Poehler Finally Gets Her Emmy

This year marks Amy Poehler’s 11th Emmy nomination. Could this finally be her year? She did get the Golden Globe and while we suspect some of that had to do with her excellent job as host, she’s no less deserving. So fingers crossed for awards season momentum because a Poehler win means a Poehler laugh and a Poehler laugh means sunshine and puppies.